3D Kinematic Analysis of the Carpometacarpal Joints

Abstract

Carpometacarpal joint motion has been difficult to accurately measure with standard methods. There has been relatively little information on the kinematics of the 2nd through 5th carpometacapal (CMC) joints. It is however, generally accepted that the range of motion in the 2nd through the 5th CMC joints increases from the radial to the ulnar side of the hand, with the 2nd CMC joint being essentially immobile, while the 5th CMC joint simultaneously flexes and adducts1. The purpose of this study is to investigate the 3D dynamic kinematics of the 2nd – 5th CMC joints during flexion/extension motion (FEM), radio-ulnar deviation (RUD), and pronation/supination motion (PSM).